Spicy Tahini Kale Chips- These are without a doubt the best kale chips you will ever try. Make them at home and try not to eat them all up at once!
Have you tried kale chips yet? Â Did you think they were “just ok” but didn’t get the hype? Â That’s probably because you didn’t have these.
All too often I see recipes for kale chips that include nothing more than “olive oil, salt, pepper and an optional seasoning of your choice.”  No.  That’s boring.  I tried simple kale chips and was thoroughly underwhelmed.  In the end, kale just isn’t that exciting until you jazz it up a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love kale and eat it almost every day.  But I need some ZING in my snacks.  Let me tell you now:  these chips have zing. Â
Tahini adds a thick creaminess, lime juice provides that perfect acidity, nutritional yeast creates mouth-watering cheesiness and the red pepper flakes add heat. Â You don’t need salty processed chips to give you that savoriness we all crave. Â You need these. Â Try not to eat them all at once, though.
I use a dehydrator when I make these spicy tahini kale chips. Â Mine is pretty cheap and it works perfectly well for veggie and fruit chip snacks. Â But I mostly use it for kale chips and it has been worth every penny. Â I prep them before I go to bed and the next morning I wake up with ready-to-go snacks. Â I realize that most of you don’t have dehydrators sitting around so I’ve included oven directions here.
Spicy Tahini Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale, inner ribs removed
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (or plug in your dehydrator). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Wash and thoroughly dry the kale, then remove the leaves from the tough inner stem. Slice or rip into large pieces. Remember- they'll shrink as they dehydrate so don't go too small. Place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over the kale and coat each leaf thoroughly. It's messy, but the best way to do this is with your hands.
- Spread the chips in a single layer on the baking sheet or in the dehydrator. The dehydrator should take approximately 8 hours. The oven will take up to an hour (start checking on them after 30 minutes. They're ready when the seasonings are completely dry and the kale is crispy.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Mad Dog says
I think you cracked the flavour issue with kale chips, but you might have to send them out to all of us ;-)
Jill says
Oooooh, I’m going to have to try these. I have had kale chips, and you’re right, I wasn’t that impressed. But these look delicious!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
Yum! I eat something like this for a snack almost every day. I always have to drink it with LOTS of water though.. the dehydrated kale sucks all of the water out of my system. Have you ever noticed that?
Savory Simple says
No but I might start having to pay attention!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Give me spicy and I’m in LOVE.
Erin @ The Food Doctors says
Yum! These sound delicious!
Bashar A. says
I have yet to try Kale chips… this might finally make me do it :)
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
So I’ve never tried kale before. I also live under a rock. But these look REALLY good.
Savory Simple says
Hayley, it took awhile to convert me but now kale is my absolute favorite green and a great balance to all of the sugar I consume. It’s by far the healthiest. These chips are great and I also use it in smoothies. Lately my favorite my to enjoy it is sauteed with olive oil, onions, garlic, salt and pepper!
Cassie says
What a great way to add extra flavor to kale chips. I love this!
Amy E says
Honestly that picture doesn’t look the most delicious especially when I think of chips. Maybe if you left kale out of it haha. It’s hard to force myself to eat healthy things like kale or cabbage. I revert to being a little kid and saying Blegh! I don’t wanna!!! The Tahini part sounds great!
kitchenriffs says
Yeah, I’m all about “zing” too! Looks like a terrific recipe. I haven’t tried kale chips yet because I’ve been, well, wondering. ;-) I should try these – thanks.
Aggie says
These sound so interesting! I have to admit, I’m hooked on plain ole salted kale chips dipped in ketchup or even a little sriracha. :)
Katie @ Blonde Ambition says
I do love plain old kale chips with lots of parmesan, but I’m also intrigued by the heartier store-bought versions that use tahini and cashews and the like! These seem more like those!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
LOVE kale chips and the addition of tahini sounds too delish!!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
I haven’t tried kale chips yet. Unfortunately kale is nowhere to be found here. So I’ll admire and drool over yours. Love the top photo. Thanks for sharing Jennifer!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
I love kale as well. I had it only with polish white cheese dumplings, but I am happy to try more recipes :)